Child protection

[Axel]

This is a "private" posting, but hopefully someone can offer some quick advice.

 

My son has asked for a computer, so I dug out an old one, seeing no harm in that. Of course he assumed all computers have internet access, and was

pretty disgusted his didn't....!

 

If I give him internet access, what are the best options for protecting him from the "dark side" - he says he needs internet to research dinosaurs, Gormitis and do the

games on the back of cornflake packets.

 

(I realise the internet can't be totally secured - but I would like to "slow down" his exposure to Russian brides, both dressed and undressed !)

 

I don't have the budget or need for the sophistication for a proper school filter, but this subject is entirely new for me so any pointers or suggestions most welcome.....

[NikChillin]

There are several options, if you have windows XP or earlier then try K9, windows vista and 7 come with parental controls. How old is he? I am assuming he is at primary school going by the search criteria. It might be worth educating him to using the internet safely.

[elsiegee40]

This is a "private" posting, but hopefully someone can offer some quick advice.

 

My son has asked for a computer, so I dug out an old one, seeing no harm in that. Of course he assumed all computers have internet access, and was

pretty disgusted his didn't....!

 

If I give him internet access, what are the best options for protecting him from the "dark side" - he says he needs internet to research dinosaurs, Gormitis and do the

games on the back of cornflake packets.

 

(I realise the internet can't be totally secured - but I would like to "slow down" his exposure to Russian brides, both dressed and undressed !)

 

I don't have the budget or need for the sophistication for a proper school filter, but this subject is entirely new for me so any pointers or suggestions most welcome.....

I'd suggest Windows Live family safety or K9, both free

 

This page has stuff we suggest for parents: Free and low cost software

 

Remember, that you can put all the parental controls you like on a computer, but there are plenty of other devices that can also access the internet. These range from Mobile Phones to nintendo DS by way of most game consoles. Most of the other devices will not have filtering.

 

There is no substitute for keeping the channels open and discussing regularly why you take steps to protect yourself and why your son needs to take care too. This isn't just the "bogey man" argument... be aware of viruses, bullying, account theft and fraud and make sure your son knows what to do if something upsets him. (The 'off' button is a good starting point! Then he MUST talk to someone... anyone, you're preferable, but he mustn't feel he'll get told off) If you are ticking boxes, or creating a new account show him how you are checking the privacy settings, etc to keep yourself clear of spam and trouble-makers.

 

Finally let your son blame you for doing the right thing. "Dad wouldn't let me..." is a great excuse to use with your mates. Every young person understands, everyone thinks you're a meanie, but it's no skin off your nose

Edited September 26, 2011 by elsiegee40

[pickman]

K9 would be my recommenadation.

 

We use it for laptops that we lend to students at home. (one who dont have a computer)

 

Seems quite secure. Only one child rebuilt the machine to remove it

[Dos_Box]

I suggest you read this article we did on Windows Parental Controls last week: EduGeek.net - A (Quick) Guide to Windows Parental Controls

It's a great starting point, and for free you cannot beat it!

It takes 10 mins to setup (if that) and will give you peace of mind and an excellent set of features, all at no cost.

[cpjitservices]

I have in the past setup this - Zentyal – The Linux Small Business Server

 

Installed in on there PC using something like Virtualbox and use the proxy filtering in it, setup browsers on child's PC's to point to the Vm serving the filtering, it's customizable and shows a nice screen if they access something that you have specified as blocked blocked, but it also blocks nasty adverts that they may well get on innocent websites.

 

I have set this up in peoples home and once they get used to the web interface they say its easy to use and the kids generally dont use the parents PC's and dont go poking about in virtual machines which is password protected at the lock screen.

 

Its A bit overkill but it's secure and it works and best of all it's free!

[protocol]

An alternative to K9 is KidZui.

[CyberDrac]

Or use the features in OpenDNS?

[CESIL]

Or use the features in OpenDNS?

 

+1 for OpenDNS...I configured our router to point at their servers and then any device accessing the internet at our house was covered...

[superfletch]

+1 for OpenDNS

 

If your ISP is talktalk then you can use "HomeSafe", which lets you block sites to do with "drugs, porn, gambling, weapons, suicide / self harm, dating, file sharing, social networks" etc.

 

If you're with BT and have the latest hub I think you can restrict some stuff from the router itself.

[Michael]

I agree use Open DNS, I've set it up many times. Just make the change at router level.